Sister Michelle Gillespie OSF

GILLESPIE

Sister Michelle, OSF 1934 - 2012

Sister Michelle Gillespie (Elizabeth) entered life on May 3, 1934, and entered eternal life on one of her favorite holidays, Halloween, the Eve of All Saints, October 31, 2012. The daughter of Charles and Agnes Gillespie was born in Detroit, Michigan and came to Sylvania, Ohio to become a Sister of St. Francis in August, 1952, professing her first vows in August, 1955 and her final vows in August, 1958. Her 58 years of service to God's people were spent in a variety of ministries. She taught in elementary schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota; Cincinnati, Rossford, Sylvania and Port Clinton, Ohio; Detroit and Garden City, Michigan. She was a principal in schools in Port Clinton, Toledo and Steubenville, Ohio. In her early years, Sister Michelle worked in the business office of a hospital in Liberty, Texas and Steubenville, Ohio. She was director of a retreat center in Bloomington, Ohio and served as secretary for the Sylvania Franciscan Leadership before she became a hospital chaplain. Sister Michelle served as a chaplain in Ann Arbor, Michigan and spent her last 12 years of active ministry at Mercy-St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio where she specialized in neo-natal pastoral care, a ministry she loved and enjoyed. Her final ministry was one of prayer at Rosary Care Center.

Sister Michelle was well prepared for her ministries. She earned a B.A. from Mary Manse College in Toledo, Ohio, a M.A. from the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio and was a certified chaplain in Ohio and Michigan.

Sister Michelle will be dearly missed by those who knew her. Her gracious manner, her welcoming smile, her love of celebrations, planned and spontaneous, will remain in the memories of her family and friends and her Sisters in Community. She was sistered in the dying process by her dear friend, Sister Ruth Schirtzinger, O.P. Sister Michelle is survived by her sisters, Carol Gillespie, Margaret Kohler and Mildred Salter and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a Welcoming for Sister Michelle in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis in Sylvania from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 5, 2012. Her funeral will be at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, preceded by visitation throughout the day. Interment will be in Porta Coeli Cemetery on the campus of the Sisters. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania, Ohio. Arrangements by Thomas I. Wisniewski Funeral Home, Toledo, Ohio.